A fracture of the entire fron of the skull, internal injuries and a fractured nose sustained about 8 o'clock last night, when an automobile in which she was riding collided with a wagon on route 5, about four and one-half miles east of Freeport, caused the death of Mrs. C.O. Cotherman, 40, a resident of Ridott. She died at St. Francis Hospital about 11 o'clock. The team and wagon struck by the car were in charge of George Kniss, who had been moving from a farm near Shannon to one l ocated inS ilver creek township. Although the farm wagon was demolished, Mr. Kniss was only slightly bruised.

One of the horses sustained a broken leg and was shot by an officer. It was claimed that there was no light on the wagon which was traveling on the highway. Mr. Kniss had delivered a load of goods to his new farm home and was enroute back to Shannon when the crash occured. His team was headed west while the car was traveling in the same direction.

Mrs. Cotherman was thrown with great force against the windshield and frame of the car. She was unconscious when taken from the macine and never regained consciousness. The car in which the victim was riding was driven by her own son, Darrell Cotherman, 20. It was a Nash Coupe. They were en route to Freeport at the time of the fatality. The son was thrown about in the car but was only slightly bruised and suffered slightly from shock. It was stated today that lights from a car approaching from an opposite direction temporarily blinded the young Cotherman and he was unable to notice the wagon until too late to avoid the smashup.

Mrs. Cotherman, whose maiden name was Edith Miller, was born at Rockford in 1890 (actual birthdate 10 March 1887). She was united in marriage to Charles O. Cotherman, who survives. There are also three children: Darrell, Jesse and Lillian. The latter is a student at Freeport High School. An inquest was conducted today.
Contributed by Al Morgan - (Accident occured 24 February 1930)